Discovery Year

Discovery Year at Flinders will broaden your knowledge and give invaluable experience and exposure in a real world setting.

We offer you opportunities to explore options beyond your degree, with Discovery Year programs that can provide foundational and prerequisite study for some of our postgraduate health professional courses.

You will make strong networks throughout your studies at Flinders so that collaborations can continue when you return home.

Our courses place a significant emphasis on producing work-ready graduation who have had access to work integrated learning and are experienced working in teams across multidisciplinary projects.

WHERE
School of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia

WHEN
Semester 1: March – July | Semester 2: July – November

DURATION
Available for one semester or a full year

Discovery year options

General programs

Unsure what you want to pursue when you have completed your degree? Pick and choose relevant topics from all the health courses on offer to expand your knowledge and undertake community service programs in Adelaide.

General program topics

Unsure what you want to pursue when you have completed your degree?

Choose a general health study program and customize it from the options below:

BIOL2771 Biochemistry
HLTH1304 Communication and Interprofessional Practice
HLTH1304 Communication for Health Practitioners
HLTH2101 Critical Social Analysis of Health
HLTH3105 Quantitative Methods for Social Health Research
MMED2931 Human Physiology
MMED2932 Integrative Human Physiology
MMED3932 Body Systems
MMED3933 Biochemistry of Human Disease
MMED3941 Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy
NUTD1101 The Australian Table – An introduction to Food and Food Cultures
NUTD1106 Nutrition Physical Activity and Health
NUTD2101 Nutrition Across the Lifecycle
NUTD2105 Individual, Social and Environmental Perspectives on Food Consumption
OCCT1001 Introduction to Occupational Therapy
OCCT3001 Understanding Disease & Disability
PHYT2001 Exercise & Musculoskeletal Physiology
PHYT3001 Introduction to the Science of Physiotherapy
PHYT3003 Pain, Posture and Movement
REHB2002 Rehabilitation Studies 1
SPTH1102 Introduction to anatomy and physiology
SPTH1103 Anatomy and physiology of speech
SPTH1201 Psychosocial aspects of speech pathology
SPTH1202 Research methods in speech pathology 1
SPTH1506 Linguistics and phonetics 1
SPTH1509 Linguistics and phonetics 2

Specialised programs

Undertake the foundational and prerequisite topics for a specific study area that will provide you with eligibility to apply for a professional postgraduate degree in your chosen area.

Nutrition & dietetics

Semester 1

MMED2931 Human Physiology
NUTD1101 The Australian Table – An introduction to Food and Food Cultures
NUTD2105 Individual, Social and Environmental Perspectives on Food Consumption
BIOL2771 Biochemistry

Semester 2

MMED2932 Integrative Human Physiology
MMED3933 Biochemistry of Human Disease
NUTD2101 Nutrition Across the Lifecycle
NUTD1106 Nutrition Physical Activity and Health

On completion of the above prerequisite subjects during your Discovery Year, entry may be available into the:

Master of Nutrition and Dietetics

Course duration: 2 years full-time

Our postgraduate nutrition and dietetics course provides you with the expertise and skills to work as a dietitian in a range of settings and be eligible to apply for accredited practising dietitian (APD) status and full membership of the Dietitians Association of Australia and other bodies.

We have delivered courses in nutrition and dietetics for 40 years and are at the
forefront of innovation and development in Australia and overseas.

Occupational therapy

Semester 1

HLTH1304 Communication for Health Practitioners
REHB2002 Rehabilitation Studies 1
MMED3932 Body Systems
HLTH2101 Critical Social Analysis of Health

Semester 2

OCCT1001 Introduction to Occupational Therapy
OCCT3001 Understanding Disease & Disability
MMED3941 Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy
HLTH3105 Quantitative Methods for Social Health Research

Completion of the above prerequisite subjects during your Discovery Year will prepare you for entry into the Master of Occupational Therapy

Master of Occupational Therapy

Course duration: 2 years full-time

The Master of Occupational Therapy aims to prepare you for professional practice as an occupational therapist across a range of areas including physical rehabilitation, community health, aged care and paediatrics. Our course meets the Occupational Therapy Council’s Accreditation Standards and also the requirements of the World Federation of Occupational Therapy.

Physiotherapy

Semester 1

HLTH1304 Communication and Interprofessional Practice
PHYT3001 Introduction to the Science of Physiotherapy
MMED3932 Body Systems
HLTH2101 Critical Social Analysis of Health

Semester 2

PHYT2001 Exercise & Musculoskeletal Physiology
PHYT3003 Pain, Posture and Movement
MMED3941 Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy
HLTH3105 Quantitative Methods for Social Health Research

Completion of these subjects as part of the Discovery Year will prepare you for entry into the Master of Physiotherapy.

Master of Physiotherapy

Course duration: 2 years full-time

Our Master of Physiotherapy course prepares students for professional practice as physiotherapists. Graduates will be able to practise across a range of settings and emphasis will be placed on preparing a contemporary health professional to be client-centred and to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team.

Our course meets the Australian Physiotherapy Council’s Accreditation Standards, which enables graduates to register as physiotherapists in Australia.

Speech pathology

Semester 1

SPTH1201 Psychosocial aspects of speech pathology
SPTH1102 Introduction to anatomy and physiology
SPTH1506 Linguistics and phonetics 1

Semester 2

SPTH1202 Research methods in speech pathology 1
SPTH1103 Anatomy and physiology of speech
SPTH1509 Linguistics and phonetics 2

Completion of the above subjects will provide useful knowledge and skills that can lead to further study in the:

Master of Speech Pathology

Course duration: 2 years full-time

Our audiology and speech pathology courses are developed in conjunction with the profession to provide the comprehensive training you need to launch your career in this specialised health profession. Small class sizes maximise learning opportunities and award-winning lecturers teach our innovative, case-based curriculum.

Candidacy for the Master of Audiology and Master of Speech Pathology is based on the applicant’s GPA from his/her previous study and on an interview score.

There are no prerequisite topics, therefore, students from Brunei considering a
career in speech pathology or audiology and who are undertaking a visit to Flinders for their Discovery Year do not need to undertake a specific course of study in order to be eligible for application. You may select other topics from any of the other School of Health Sciences Discovery Year programs.

Audiology

Semester 1

SPTH1201 Psychosocial aspects of speech pathology
SPTH1102 Introduction to anatomy and physiology
SPTH1506 Linguistics and phonetics 1

Semester 2

SPTH1202 Research methods in speech pathology 1
SPTH1103 Anatomy and physiology of speech
SPTH1509 Linguistics and phonetics 2

Completion of the above subjects will provide useful knowledge and skills that will lead to further study such as the:

Master of Audiology

Course duration: 2 years full-time

Our audiology and speech pathology courses are developed in conjunction with the profession to provide the comprehensive training you need to launch your career in this specialised health profession. Small class sizes maximise learning opportunities and award-winning lecturers teach our innovative, case-based curriculum.

Candidacy for the Master of Audiology and Master of Speech Pathology is based on the applicant’s GPA from his/her previous study and on an interview score.

There are no prerequisite topics, therefore, students from Brunei considering a career in speech pathology or audiology and who are undertaking a visit to Flinders for their Discovery Year do not need to undertake a specific course of study in order to be eligible for application. You may select other topics from any of the other School of Health Sciences Discovery Year programs.

Study health at Flinders

Our courses combine academic excellence with industry experience, providing you with the skills you need to succeed in your career.

World leader

Flinders is amongst the top 2% of universities in the world. We are ranked in the world’s top 300 universities by the Times Higher Education Rankings 2015-16, and ranked in the world’s top 50 for universities under 50.

At the forefront of healthy ageing

Flinders is passionate about addressing the needs of an ageing global population through education, research, industry and community partnerships. In 2014 we opened the nation’s first healthy ageing teaching and research facility in partnership with the ACH Group and SA Health. In 2015 we appointed the first Chair of Restorative Care in Australia.

New innovative courses

We are in tune with our fast moving world and that is why we are introducing new courses in exercise science. The Bachelor of Exercise Science is available to international students in 2017 and is accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Nutrition and allied health specialisations prepare graduates for postgraduate study in nutrition and dietetics, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Research that matters

Flinders is recognised nationally and internationally for pioneering research in health and medicine, with 92% of our medical and health sciences research ranked at or above world standard in the Australia Research Council’s latest Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) rankings (2015).

Integrated health environment

Many of our courses feature clinical and professional placements as well as practical components that are taught in onsite hospitals and clinics such as Flinders Medical Centre and the Flinders Vision Clinic. You could be rubbing shoulders with doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals, and working in multidisciplinary health teams.

South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute

Flinders University is one of the founding members of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), in partnership with the Government of South Australia, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia. SAHMRI’s flagship building is a $200 million facility located in the new health and biomedical precinct in Adelaide’s central business district.

Come to Adelaide

Adelaide, a vibrant city

Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and has a population of 1.23 million people. We are a city of festivals, relaxed living and education excellence.

A high standard of living

Studying in Adelaide means you are residing in one of the world’s most liveable cities. Statistics show it costs almost 20% more to live in Melbourne or Sydney than in Adelaide. Adelaide has been acknowledged as the fifth most liveable city in the world, as Australia’s safest city and one of the world’s top 10 cities to visit (Lonely Planet 2014).

Climate

South Australia has a Mediterranean climate, with long, hot summers (25°C to 35°C) and cool to cold, snowless winters (10°C to 15°C). South Australia’s climate offers more than 2,500 hours of sunshine a year.

Getting around

Adelaide is well serviced by public transport, which covers the greater metropolitan region with trains, buses and trams. International students in Adelaide receive the same transport concessions as local students, saving you up to $700 per year. Buses run frequently to and from Flinders University. Adelaide is also a cycling-friendly city.

Cost of living

You should also consider associated costs of embarking on your Discovery Year such as living expenses. Study Adelaide provides a student guide for average living costs in Adelaide on their website.

You may also like to view the returned student reports from exchange students who have studied at Flinders University that detail their monthly expenses.

Flinders University charges a fee of AUD$2,250 per topic and students can enrol in a minimum of 3 topics and a maximum of 5 topics; the normal full time enrolment is 4 topics.

AUD$6,750 per semester for 13.5 Flinders units (equivalent to 3 topics)
AUD$9,000 per semester for 18 Flinders units (equivalent to 4 topics)
AUD$11,250 per semester for 22.5 Flinders units (equivalent to 5 topics)

Please note: tuition fee does not include field trips, lecture notes, stationery, text books and course materials.

Contact us

For more information, contact our friendly School of Health Sciences staff at bruneihealthpartnerships@flinders.edu.au